Naruto: Naruto's Uchiha girlfriend is too tsundere

"I... thank you... thank you, Naruto... and everyone... thank you..."

Chapter 66 Gift

What is this...?

Iruka felt as if something invisible was choking him.

His gaze fell on the striking cream cake on the long table covered with a tablecloth. Next to the name written in jam were several unlit candles, and the warm candlelight was already flickering in his mind.

The cake... was it specially made? I should be the one caring for them, right?

But now, these children have remembered his birthday and even planned this surprise.

His heart was enveloped in warmth, each beat carrying a bittersweet throbbing sensation. A surge of heat welled up deep in his nostrils, and he quickly clenched his teeth, desperately suppressing the emotions that were about to spiral out of control.

No... I absolutely cannot cry here! If I were to cry my eyes out in front of the students, my authority as a teacher would be completely ruined!

Iruka blinked frantically, trying to dispel the moist heat. But the harder he tried to control it, the stronger the swelling warmth in his chest became, almost bursting his chest apart.

When exactly did these guys start preparing?

His gaze swept over the students standing behind the table... Oh no, he really couldn't hold back anymore.

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"Alright! We've blown out the candles, let's open the presents now!"

Naruto clapped his hands enthusiastically, a bright smile on his face. His voice echoed in the classroom, carrying the unique energy of a young man, making the atmosphere in the whole room lively.

"Iruka-sensei, this is my birthday present. I'm sure you'll love it. It's the highest grade in Konoha!"

Ya stepped forward carrying a simple gift box tied with a slightly rough red ribbon, as if he had wrapped it himself.

Iruka stared blankly at the gift box handed to him, the image of making a wish still lingering in his mind—in the flickering candlelight, the children's faces were bathed in a warm glow, and they sang "Happy Birthday" in unison. Although their voices were uneven, it was the most beautiful song Iruka had ever heard.

How long has it been since I celebrated my birthday like this?

He was in a daze for a moment before reaching out to take the gift from Ya. His fingertips trembled slightly as they touched the box.

"...Thank you, Tooth."

His voice was soft, but it carried genuine gratitude.

"No, teacher, according to the birthday rules, you have to open the present first before you say that!"

Naruto chimed in with a grin, while Iruka smiled helplessly, nodded, and carefully unwrapped the packaging.

What came into view was a bag of dog food. And it was the most expensive kind at the Konoha Pet Shop, with the words "Top-Tier Ninja Dog Special" printed on the packaging.

"Seriously, why are you sending this? Iruka-sensei doesn't even have a dog at home."

Shikamaru couldn't help but complain, leaning lazily against the table and shaking his head.

Kiba, however, looked completely matter-of-fact and even retorted with righteous indignation, "Isn't that simple? Why doesn't Iruka-sensei just go and raise a dog?"

A burst of laughter erupted in the classroom. However, amidst the laughter, Iruka simply lowered his head, his fingers gently tracing the label on the dog food bag, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Thank you for the gift, teacher. I really like it."

This is the truth.

Actually, Iruka knew it was his birthday today. But ever since his parents died the night the Nine-Tails attacked, no one had ever celebrated his birthday with him.

As a child, he secretly hoped that someone might remember him, or that someone might say "Happy Birthday" to him. But as the years passed, that little expectation was gradually buried in the corner of his memory and eventually completely forgotten.

After growing up, he no longer cared about the date. Occasionally, when he saw his birthdate in the Ninja Academy's records, he would just glance at it briefly, but... even if someone just wished him a happy birthday, Iruka would be very happy and content.

“Okay! Next is my gift.” Choji’s round face was full of excitement as he held a thick, carefully wrapped envelope in both hands.

Iruka took the envelope, and the moment he opened it, the Q Grill sign came into view—it contained two meal vouchers, boldly proclaiming on them: "[Special Selection Beef All-You-Can-Eat for Five]"

"Choji... isn't this a little too precious?"

"Please accept this, teacher!" Choji waved his hand dismissively. "I have plenty of these! But my father told me to bring them to entertain friends..."

Then, Shikamaru yawned at the opportune moment and lazily stuffed a long, thin object wrapped in silk into Iruka's hand.

"Don't expect anything from mine, it's definitely not as good as the Akimichi family's work."

After unwrapping the silk cloth—there was a sealed scroll.

"It can be used as long as chakra is injected." Shikamaru explained with droopy eyelids, "The left side is for storing ninja tools, the right side is for storing documents, and I had someone add a fireproof seal to the middle compartment... It's such a hassle. Here is the instruction manual."

Iruka realized that this seemingly casual gift was probably a special item that Shikamaru had prepared long in advance.

This guy who always complains about "trouble" has actually turned "laziness" into a unique philosophy—just like his way of doing things, he plans ten steps ahead for every step he takes.

Once you've decided to do something, you must do it to the best of your ability.

That's why even the gifts were designed to be... so meticulously crafted in a Nara style.

Iruka stared at the sealing scroll in his hand, sensing Shikamaru's meticulousness—this level of ninja tool was definitely not something casually taken out of the warehouse.

“You’ve really been a big help, Shikamaru.” He looked up and gave Shikamaru a knowing smile. Shikamaru just waved his hand lazily.

At this moment, Zuo Yue walked forward with brisk steps. In her hands she held a long, dark blue wooden box, the Uchiha clan crest embossed on its surface, exuding the noble air unique to a prestigious family.

“Here you go,” she said simply, handing over the wooden box.

When Iruka took the wooden box, he felt its heavy weight. Upon opening it, he found twelve finely crafted steel shuriken neatly arranged inside.

"As our teacher," Zuo Yue slightly raised her chin, "we cannot slack off in our training. If we think that becoming a teacher means we don't need to train anymore... it will bring shame to the Uchiha clan."

A typical tsundere statement, well-intentioned but wrapped in a prickly shell. But Iruka noticed a strange...resentment? in Satsuki's eyes as she looked at him.

Of course, he had no idea that just ten minutes earlier, he had interrupted a crucial moment when a black-haired girl was about to hold the hand of her sweetheart.

“Thank you, I will use it carefully.” Iruka solemnly closed the wooden box. Satsuki gave a soft snort and turned to walk back to Naruto's side.

“Well…” Iruka looked at the pile of gifts in his arms: dog food, barbecue vouchers, sealing scrolls, ninja tools… These unique gifts warmed his heart. His gaze naturally fell on the last student.

Naruto, holding a beautifully packaged square gift box in both hands and wearing a bright smile, strode forward.

"Teacher Iruka! My gift is the best!"

Everyone's eyes were on Naruto's gift, completely unaware that Shino was standing quietly to the side, holding a simple box in his hands.

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(There will be one more update today, uploaded in about an hour.)

(Because I wrote too much... I'm not sure if the quality has dropped. If you see anything unnatural, please point it out and I will revise it.)

(Thanks to Jiang Lanzzr for the two expert certifications! Thank you, boss, I'll continue with four updates a day for the next two days.)

Chapter 67: There's no going back.

The moment the gift was placed in Iruka's hands, Naruto suddenly took a deep breath, his blue eyes unusually serious. He lowered his head slightly, as if organizing his thoughts.

“Teacher Iruka… I’m truly grateful to you for this past year.”

His voice was lower than usual, carrying an undeniable sincerity. The classroom suddenly fell silent; even the usually noisy Ya fell silent. Akamaru tilted his head, his dark eyes darting back and forth between the two of them.

Iruka was stunned. He saw Naruto raise his head, look directly into his eyes, and ask the question that had always made him feel guilty.

"By the way, teacher, you seem to be blaming yourself for what happened in the past... is that true?"

Iruka felt a tightness in his throat; the self-reproach buried deep within him was suddenly thrust into the light, leaving him nowhere to hide. His fingers trembled slightly, and finally, he slowly nodded.

"...Yes, I'm really sorry...Naruto, I'm a terrible teacher."

The moment those words left his mouth, Iruka felt a sharp pain. He remembered his initial distance from Naruto, the deliberate maintenance of that distance, and his stiff responses each time Naruto greeted him—

Unexpectedly, Naruto clicked his tongue and a look of amusement and exasperation appeared on his face.

"Seriously, teacher, your moral standards are too high!" He scratched his blond hair, his tone tinged with helpless affection.

"But later, didn't you accept me, teacher? There's no need to let the past bother you anymore."

Iruka opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a word. He had never imagined that his past hesitations and mistakes would be forgiven in this way—not ignored, but understood, and then gently told "it's okay."

Naruto looked at his teacher's reddened eyes and unconsciously softened his voice.

"Teacher, everyone has imperfections, but it is precisely these hesitations and subsequent choices that make trust even more precious."

Naruto flashed a big smile. "So, please don't blame yourself for not doing well enough. For me..."

"You've been the best teacher for a long time."

Iruka's body began to tremble uncontrollably. He hurriedly lowered his head, not wanting the students to see his disheveled state. But tears blurred his vision, dripping onto the gift box in his arms, leaving a small, dark stain.

So... I'm just so lucky.

This realization made his heart pound, a mixture of bittersweetness and warmth. It was his duty to accompany Naruto and teach these children, but why… was it he himself who was the one being redeemed and warmed?

So many emotions surged in my chest—astonishment at Naruto's maturity, a touch on the softest part of my heart, a strengthening of my resolve as a teacher, and an almost overflowing warmth…

And an unprecedented sense of pride.

I am proud to be a teacher to these children.

I am proud to have witnessed Naruto grow into such a gentle person.

I am proud to stand here at this moment, surrounded by such pure emotion.

"Alright, alright, hurry up and open the gift." Naruto rarely showed a hint of embarrassment. "Actually, in terms of extravagance, my gift might not be as valuable as others', but I still hope you'll like it, Sensei."

Without the slightest hesitation, Iruka's fingers touched the exquisitely wrapped gift box. He gently untied the ribbon, revealing a soft silk lining the box, upon which lay two items.

Iruka's breath caught in his throat for a moment as his gaze fell on the first gift.

It was a handmade, painted clay model, about the size of his palm. He carefully picked it up, feeling the warm, smooth texture of clay on his fingertips. The model was exquisitely crafted, with every detail meticulously handled.

These are two chibi-style figures, standing together holding hands.

The little figure on the left wears a Konoha headband, has pineapple-shaped hair tied back, and wears a gentle smile; the little figure on the right has a head of golden spiky hair and smiles so wide his eyes disappear. The two figures hold hands tightly, and the base is engraved with the words "The Best Teacher" in childish handwriting.

Iruka's thumb unconsciously stroked the miniature version of himself.

This is...us?

"How about that? Teacher won't be alone anymore!" Naruto grinned. "Even after graduation, when you see this model, Teacher won't forget me so easily."

On the other side of the classroom, Zuo Yue's gaze fell on the pair of chibi-style figurines, her dark eyes flickering slightly. Unconsciously, the image of the well-preserved gift in her room came to mind.

It was a birthday gift from Naruto to her. The chibi version of Satsuki on the model was crossing her arms and turning her face away with a haughty expression, while the chibi version of Naruto was grinning beside her.

Even though I have one myself... why do I still feel a little tightness in my chest when I see my teacher receive the same gift...?

"...Yes! Thank you, Naruto..."

Iruka's voice was so soft it was almost inaudible. He carefully placed the model back into the box, his movements gentle. His fingertips lingered on the words "The Best Teacher" for a moment before reluctantly moving away.

To hide his reddened eyes, Iruka quickly turned to the second gift—the expensive notebook. The words "The Ultimate Teacher's Guide" on the cover gleamed under the light. But a closer look revealed that the lettering wasn't original to the product; it had been hand-stamped on later.

I see......

Suddenly, his memory flashed back to the stationery store a while ago. The things Naruto had been sneakily hiding back then were actually these gift materials… Had this kid been meticulously preparing all along?

He took a deep breath and slowly turned to the first page of the notebook.

Then it froze completely.

The title page features an exaggerated portrait of Naruto, with words written next to it in crooked yet energetic handwriting.

"Record all the students who make you proud—I might not be the first, but I certainly won't be the last!"

These words were like a key, suddenly unlocking a tightly locked gate in Iruka's heart.

An unprecedented emotion surged forth like a tidal wave, instantly shattering all his defenses. It was not merely being moved, nor simply feeling gratified; it was something deeper and warmer.

A tear fell onto the paper, blurring the ink. Then came a second, a third...

"Waaah..."

The long-suppressed sobs finally burst forth. Iruka, his back hunched, cried out like a child. Tears soaked the notebook's cover.

The classroom was completely silent. Shikamaru's yawn froze halfway down his face, Choji's potato chips stopped at his lips, and even his usually boisterous teeth widened in surprise. They had never seen adults show such a vulnerable side before.

Just then, a crisp notification sound rang in Naruto's mind.

【Ding! 】

[Congratulations, host! You have established a level 7 bond with the original character "Iruka Umino" (maximum)!]